What happened
On March 12, 2014, a Schempp-Hirth Discus glider, registration F-CGGV, departed from Vinon aerodrome for a local flight circuit. At approximately 14:30, while flying at an altitude of 1,950 meters near the Marcoux safety field, the pilot was navigating toward the Seyne-les-Alpes private aerodrome via the Fanget pass.
During maneuvers north of the commune of Auzet, the aircraft lost approximately 100 meters of altitude. Realizing that the aircraft no longer had sufficient height to clear the Fanget pass or return to the Marcoupt field, the pilot opted to land in a nearby pasture. During the landing roll, the glider entered a ground loop, resulting in damage to the tail boom.
The investigation
The investigation examined the flight path, meteorological conditions, and the pilot's decision-making process. The pilot, an instructor with approximately 750 flight hours in the region, had attended the morning weather briefing. At the time of the incident, the weather featured CAVOK conditions with a light 7-knot wind from 210 degrees and a moderate valley breeze from the southwest near the ground. While an easterly wind was established above 2,000 meters, thermal activity was not present at lower altitudes.
Investigators determined that the pilot expected to find thermals north of Auzet, but the thermal tops were lower than forecasted, specifically situated between 2,000 and 2,400 meters. Consequently, the pilot was unable to maintain or gain altitude.
Findings
- The pilot's decision to continue the flight toward the Fanget pass placed the aircraft in an environment where a safe field landing was no longer possible.
- The pilot's decision to proceed into terrain without sufficient altitude for a safe landing was the primary cause of the accident.